{"id":2068,"date":"2026-04-06T00:16:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T00:16:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bfashow.dmd.uconn.edu\/2026\/?p=2068"},"modified":"2026-04-06T17:03:03","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T17:03:03","slug":"that-one-time-i-got-hit-by-a-truck-and-got-sent-to-a-trope-y-rpggame","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bfashow.dmd.uconn.edu\/2026\/that-one-time-i-got-hit-by-a-truck-and-got-sent-to-a-trope-y-rpggame\/","title":{"rendered":"That One Time I Got Hit By A Truck And Got Sent To A Trope-y RPGGame"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Video game<\/p>

That One Time I Got Hit By A Truck And Got Sent To A Trope-y RPGGame<\/h1><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Lauren Palumbo<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Seymour, CT<\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Advisor: Kenneth Thompson<\/h3><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Artist Bio<\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Lauren Palumbo is a narrative writer and aspiring game developer located in Seymour, Connecticut. She is passionate about character writing and design, aiming to craft memorable stories that strike the emotions of players. Lauren is inspired by contemporary \u2018otaku\u2019 culture and uses it as a frame of reference for her media. Her most current work, That One Time I Got Hit By a Truck and Got Sent To a Trope-y RPG Game<\/em>, is a 2D narrative RPG made using RPG Maker MZ. She also has experience using Unreal Engine, such as in her proof-of-concept demo, Lead Astray<\/em>, featuring a fully rigged IK system for quadrupedal models. Lauren studied Digital Media and Design at the University of Connecticut, pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Outside of video game design, Lauren has an interest in fine art and birdwatching. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Artist Statement<\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I had originally created an entirely different idea for this project, called Imprints<\/em>. It was a game with a much more serious tone but was going to be designed with the same framework and engine. However, the scope became entirely too large, and it stopped becoming fun for me, as much as I loved to be stubborn and push for something I had a passion for. And so, I decided to place the project on hold and focus on what I love to do most\u2014laugh.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I ad-libbed this entire game as I developed it and learned RPG Maker, using the provided tilesets and sprites generously provided by the engine itself. It was the perfect tool for me to \u2018play dolls\u2019 and see where the story went\u2014and it surely went in ways I didn\u2019t even think of. I knew I wanted to include themes of identity, faith, and human curiosity. I wanted to have fun and encourage the player to explore concepts with nuance. Shun is an absurd character, but he becomes someone who has his own voice. I am an absurd person\u2014that’s not a bad thing! I\u2019m different. But I think this game might help people learn it\u2019s okay to be different and forge your own path. Following rules gets pretty boring, doesn\u2019t it?  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

 I wanted to think, laugh, and explore while making this game. In this game, you as a player think, laugh, and explore. You are more than you think you are, and sometimes you need a little laughter to get you to where you want to be. Shun, is, funnily enough, a reflection of me. He sees himself as a \u2018jobless dirtbag\u2019 and fills the void with random humor. I used to see myself as talentless compared to my peers. But I learned to think critically of myself and understand my own strengths, just as Shun realizes he can use his knowledge of his own world to navigate Vernia.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be weird. Think differently. Question your own path in life. Actually, just question everything. And, have fun doing it! We\u2019re only here for a limited amount of time.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Lauren Palumbo Seymour, CT Advisor: Kenneth Thompson Artist Bio Lauren Palumbo is a narrative writer and aspiring game developer located in Seymour, 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